Comparing "renwei" and "yiwei"

认为 (rènwéi) and 以为 (yǐwéi) are both verbs that mean "to think" in terms of "to consider" or "to deem" something to be true or false. Both are used be used in informal and formal contexts and sometimes can be used interchangeably. However, only 认为 is often used to mean "in my opinion." Only 以为 is used to describe a situation in which you thought something to be true or correct, but in reality it wasn't.

B1HSK4ASV4567

	认为 (rènwéi)	以为 (yǐwéi)
Meaning	to think	to think mistakenly
Part of Speech	verb	verb (mostly)
Formality	flexible	flexible

:Yes

认为 means "to think"

认为 is somewhat more formal than 觉得, but means the same thing.

• 我认为中国菜很好吃。

以为 can mean "mistakenly believed"

以为 is used to describe a situation in which you thought something was true or correct, but later found out that was not the case.

Example sentences

In the following examples only 认为 can be used.

• 我以为你是美国人，原来你是加拿大人。
• 我以为你下午才过来，没想到你会这么早就到了。

To say "to think" or "to consider" many times both 认为 and 以为 can be used interchangeably

Common Phrases

In the following examples both 认为 and 以为 can be used.

• 我～
• 你～
• ～很好
• ～很不错
• ～可以

To say “in my opinion” use 认为

Example sentences

• 我认为中国菜很好吃。
• 我认为他不是一个好的总统。
• 你认为经验和能力哪个重要？
• 我认为好的演讲应该是让人感动的。
• 我认为抽烟是一个坏习惯，很不健康。
• 你认为法国队的优势和劣势分别是什么？

Websites

“以为”和“认为” https://zhidao.baidu.com/question/653992511686170765.html